Hatters trio ready for Albion test

Mike Simmonds

Hatters full back Stephen O’Donnell is looking forward to pitting his wits against Championship opposition this afternoon when his side take on Brighton & Hove Albion at Kenilworth Road.

The Seagulls, who missed out on promotion to the Premier League last term after losing in the play-offs to Sheffield Wednesday, are expected to bring a strong team, despite also playing Stevenage this evening too.

“I’ll be delighted to see some old friends but it will be a test we’ve arranged to try and give us that sort of impetus to bring to the season.”

Nathan Jones

O’Donnell said: “It’s certainly going to be a good test because I’d like to think they’ll try to play.

“We will too, so it’s going to be an interesting one, but, equally, it’s pre-season so we don’t need to stress too much about it because it’s about getting the minutes, it’s about getting the work-rate, it’s about implementing things that we’ve worked on during the week into the game on Saturday.

“So hopefully we’ll continue to do that and hopefully I’ll get another wee run out and see how we do as a team.

“The most important thing is, as an individual, is about getting the minutes, staying injury free, so that, come Plymouth away, we’ve all got the minutes, we’re all chomping at the bit to play and he’s (Nathan Jones) got a full squad to choose from.”

For Town boss Nathan Jones, it will be the first time he has come up against his former club, with the Welshman employed as first team coach under Chris Hughton, before moving to take the Luton job.

He said: “They’re a top Championship side, so it will be another stern test.

“We’ve had different tests so far throughout pre-season, this will provide a different one again and all stand us in good stead for the season ahead.

“I’ll be delighted to see some old friends but it will be a test we’ve arranged to try and give us that sort of impetus to bring to the season.

“We want to start the season well, but we have to reiterate, we’re still in pre-season, still three weeks in, so there’s a few things to iron out.”

Although Hatters will come up against Championship opposition in Aston Villa for the EFL Cup next month, O’Donnell didn’t think they could gauge too much in what to expect during today’s game.

He added: “It’s not a competitive match, as although I’m sure it will have a bit of needle to it, it’s pre-season nonetheless.

“So come the cup game against Villa, you’ve see how we we did against Stoke last season, I don’t know how but teams manage to raise their games against the bigger teams, maybe it’s a different strategy.

“It’s a long way away, Villa, at the moment I couldn’t care less. I just want to get the win against Plymouth and have good minutes in between then to put us all in good stead.”

Meanwhile, Dan Potts added: “I think they’ll be good experiences to build up for the season now, especially Brighton and Walsall.

“We won’t disturb from what we’re doing though, it will be exactly the same and be a good experience.”